Guide to Mineral Sunscreens

The sun is hot and bright and it is also the primary disseminator of UV rays, some of which can be harmful to one’s skin. Because of this, sunscreen is a common way to protect one’s skin, and that of their children. However, what some may not know is that some sunscreens contain ingredients that can be harmful, as well.

There are basically two types of sunscreen chemical and mineral. You can usually tell which is which by looking at the list of ingredients. Look at the active ingredients. If it says zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, then it is a mineral sunscreen. If the active ingredients end in ate, one, or ene, then it is a chemical sunscreen. Some common ones are Octisalate, Avobenzone, and Octocrylene, but there are many others.

Because the skin absorbs the ingredients of sunblocks that are put on it, it is important to be sure that these things will not cause harm. While some of the chemicals have been shown to cause serious issues, such as cancer, increased risk of endometriosis in women, lower testosterone levels in adolescent men, and such, they are allowed in the sunscreens because they were already there before these issues were noted and before these potential effects were discovered.

Mineral sunscreens, however, contain minerals that are useful in the body and not harmful, which is actually moot because they are not absorbed. Because of this, they work as a barrier that reflects sunlight away from the skin. Therefore, they are not as likely to be irritating to sensitive skin and they will not harm the skin. It is possible that a residue could remain after washing it off, due to how it sits on top of the skin, but this is not harmful.

Be sure to look at ingredient lists, however, since some chemical sunscreens may add minerals as well in order to put that on the label. Adding minerals to a chemical sunscreen does not make it a mineral sunscreen.

Zinc oxide the main ingredient in mineral sunscreens is a broad UV blocker, which means it blocks both UVA (the ones that cause the skin to appear aged) and UVB (the ones that cause sunburn). Most chemical sunscreens only block UVB.

To find a mineral sunscreen that is both protective enough and good for your skin, check the ingredients for certain levels (or lack thereof) of certain ingredients, as follows:

Zinc oxide – a high level of this is best. By itself, there should be at least 20%, and mixed with titanium dioxide (7.5% or more) it can be 15% or more. If it is mixed with encapsulated octinoxate, it can also be as low as 15%. Yes, octinoxate is a chemical, but when it is encapsulated, it acts like a mineral, so it is safe to use.

PUFA – polyunsaturated fatty acids should be very low or not there at all. These oxidize in ultraviolet light and can cause damage to the cells. When ingredients are arranged by weight (as they are in most items), this should not be listed in the first five.

Silicones – can cause congestion and dehydration of the skin, so it is better to avoid them.

Fragrance – those with sensitive skin should find a sunblock that does not contain fragrance, as many of them can be irritating. If the fragrance is from essential oils, that is less of an issue.

Non-whitening – because zinc oxide is bright white, even after it is rubbed in, it can lighten skin several tones. If your skin is medium to dark, you may want to consider a tinted version.

Water resistant – if you are going to be swimming or expect to be quite sweaty, this is something to look for. However, it may be best to try it, since the test to determine water resistance is expensive so many companies choose not to do it.

Reef safe – if you will be in the ocean, it is good to know that zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are not harmful to coral reefs. The encapsulated octinoxate, however, is, so if you are headed to the ocean, you may want to rule that one out.

This mist spray comes in tinted and untinted. It contains a slightly lower percentage of zinc oxide (only 14.5%) but it is water resistant for up to 80 minutes. It does have a limited shelf life due to the inclusion of sunflower oil.

Broad spectrum water resistant sunscreen spray that is cruelty-free, vegan, and hypoallergenic.

This is not a comprehensive list; there are many more mineral sunscreens available that fit the criteria listed above, but these are some excellent choices to get you started and keep your skin protected while swimming at the beach, hiking, or playing in the sunshine no matter what season it is.

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